Breastfeeding and Heart Health
October 11, 2021
Experts say mothers who can breastfeed should, considering the benefits it has for babies.
According to Lindsay Appel, M.D., a board certified OB-GYN with The Family Childbirth and Children’s Center at Mercy, there's an anti-microbial aspect to breast milk and antibodies that help protect a baby's immune systems.
"There are some studies showing that babies who are breastfed have lower blood pressure and better cardiovascular health than babies who are not breastfed. Now that being said, not everyone is able to breastfeed and I am a proponent that fed is best," Dr. Appel said.
Dr. Appel added that if you are able to breastfeed, that's good, but if you can't at all, that's OK; your baby can still be totally healthy.
To view Mercy ob/gyn Dr. Lindsay Appel’s interview regarding breast feeding and your baby’s heart health, click here.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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